Although none of the 215 athletes representing Great Britain at the 2024 Paralympic Games are from the Channel Islands, there are plenty of inspiring athletes in Jersey...

Meet Nick.

Nick Ozouf was diagnosed with Vitamin D Resistant Rickets when he was a toddler and with no prospect of a cure, has had to adapt and overcome other mobility issues that come with his condition. 

Now 62, Nick can’t do as much as he used to, which he sometimes finds frustrating. When he was younger, he could still manage to play golf, football and go surfing but that has become increasingly difficult – and especially since he had a double-hip replacement in 2018, which limited his ability to stay active whilst he was in recovery. 

But it wasn’t until he came across Jersey's inclusive cycle centre, Cycle Without Limits, at a community event that he realised he could still do something active. Thanks to their facilities through the Move More Ability programme, Nick tried a handcycle for the first time.

"My bones aren't as strong as other people's"

That was five years ago and since then he has gone on to complete marathon-length challenges at Les Quennevaisand raise a lot of money for charity. 

“[Vitamin D Resistant Rickets] means effectively, that my bones aren’t as strong as other peoples”, Nick said.

“And I’d always been very active in my past and I couldn’t do those things anymore [after the hip replacements]."

Pictured: Nick Ozouf has previously raised thousands of pounds for charity by hand-cycling 28 laps around the Les Quennevais track.

Nick, who works for Jersey Employment Trust, first attended Cycle Without Limits when he wasn’t able to get around without the help of two walking sticks. Now, at times, he can walk without any support at all thanks to the work he has done at the charity. 

“Without Cycle Without Limits, I wouldn’t be able to do these things now."

"Mentally, I feel much better"

“As a physical example, when I first went there, I had to use two walking sticks to keep me balanced so I didn’t fall over. With the work I did on the handcycle and the tricycle I’ve been using one stick and now occasionally, only around the house and the office, I don’t need to use a stick at all," he explained. 

But it hasn’t just been beneficial for his physical health.

“Mentally, I feel much better because I’m actually able to do something,” he said. “For a while after my operations, I was wondering what sports or exercise I could do at all."

Next stop: triathlon

Now, he has completed challenges which have accumulated into almost three marathons around Les Quennevais track, with a triathlon now planned for next month. 

With the help of Cycle Without Limits’ extensive range of adaptable cycles, Nick was able to ride a marathon around Les Quennevais, which was 28 laps, which spurred him on to his next challenge, 50 laps not long afterwards.

Raising money for both Acorn Enterprises and Cycle Without Limits, he continues to motivate himself to do more and go further, which has led him to his next challenge, a beginner’s triathlon next Saturday 7 September.

Pictured: With the help of Cycle Without Limits Nick has moved from a handcycle to a trike.

“Cycle Without Limits has kept me active, they’ve supported me in the things I’ve done”, Nick said. 

“They will take the person and adapt a cycle so that they can take part and experience the feeling of cycling. They even have bikes that can accomodate wheelchairs".

The Paralympics "opens doors and ideas and makes people think"

Through his time at the charity, Nick has become somewhat of a superstar. Although he doesn’t describe himself as an athlete, he says a competitive streak can come with having a disability, which is why the Paralympic Games can change perceptions about those competing in them. 

“Part of the Paralympics is that whether you’re inspired by the athletes or not, it opens doors and ideas and makes people think about what they could possibly do, like boccia, where people who may be seriously impaired, can still take part and be competitive.  

“That’s important with people with disabilities. Competitiveness comes with a disability I think because you havetowork that much harder to achieve something.” 

Funding and exposure "always" needed

But, like all charities, funding is vital for Cycle Without Limits to continue to help people like Nick. 

“Cycle Without Limits always needs exposure and funding, as does Jersey Sport as they’re both charities. I was lucky to go to this community event with work, but unless you’re looking, it can be very hard to find accessible sports in Jersey.” 

“You may have a disability but you’re only a disabled when you’re in an environment thatdoesn’t let you participate in the event. That’s what I always say”. 

Nick’s can-do attitude is infectious and inspiring. Fast-forward from his first go at the handcycle, next Saturday Nick will be attempting a SuperSprint triathlon, 400m swim, 10k bike ride and 2.5k run, to raise money for Acorn Reuse and Cycle Without Limits.

SUPPORT...

If you would like to support Nick in his triathlon challenge at Les Quennevais next Saturday, you can donate to his JustGiving page HERE. 

Or... why not support him in person? Nick is expected to be in the pool from 09:30, before heading out onto the track for his cycle and run between 10:15 and 12:30. 

To find out more about Cycle Without Limits and the Move More Ability facilities, click HERE.